A new UK survey by automotive industry research provider, Trend Tracker, says that changing business models are blurring the public perception between the suppliers of vehicle servicing and repairs.

Chris Oakham of Trend Tracker, says that many independents are emulating franchised dealers in terms of presentation, technical expertise, systems, marketing and training and that many fast fits now resemble independent garages. Meanwhile many franchised dealers have established fast fit bays. 

The shift in business models was first recognised by Trend Tracker five years ago when analysing its monthly survey of motorists and their purchases of servicing and repairs. Chris explains, “We started to find that ever more interviewees were selecting ‘other’ from our multiple-choice list of servicing and repair providers, and then entering descriptions like, Kwik-fit garage, Volkswagen specialist, or dealer workshop.

The survey also found that that the dealers share of servicing and repairs is increasing, thanks to booming new sales.